It’s time to rethink everything you thought you knew about murphy beds. Those squeaky, uncomfortable, and awkward beds in your grandma’s spare bedroom are a thing of the past. Today, murphy beds provide modern solutions to modern problems, without sacrificing style or sleep quality! In fact, most people would agree a new murphy bed is a lot more comfortable than a sofa bed…not to mention the other benefits it comes with.
Are Murphy Beds More Comfortable Than Sofa Beds?
Yes! Today, a comfortable murphy bed isn’t hard to find, and we’re going to tell you why in today’s post.
In addition to breaking down the basics of finding a comfortable & functional murphy bed, we’ll also answer other questions you might have about custom space-saving solutions in your home.
Let’s start by discussing the differences between a murphy bed and a sofa bed to start.
Murphy beds vs sofa beds
Whether you call it a wall bed, a fold down bed, or a murphy bed, these beds are simply ones that fold up into the wall when they’re not in use. That way, the rest of the room can be utilized for other purposes when someone isn’t sleeping in the bed. As such, they’re ideally suited for small spaces, but they’re frequently used in homes of all sizes just to add more sleeping areas.
On the other hand, sofa beds are those that fold out of a couch. So, the couch will always be there, but it turns into a bed when the mattress (that’s folded up in the couch) is pulled out.
What Makes a Murphy Bed More Comfortable and Convenient than a Sofa Bed?
Depending on your home and your needs, a comfortable murphy bed or a sofa bed could be right for you. That being said, wall beds come with a number of other benefits worth considering if you’re stuck picking between the two options.
Comfort
Sofa beds are designed to be folded up. As such, the mattress in them needs to be thin enough to fold. It’s no wonder sofa beds are notoriously uncomfortable.
With a wall bed, on the other hand, an entire mattress can fold into the wall, without any need for folding it in half or thirds. That means you can find a comfortable murphy bed a lot easier than you can find a sofa bed. In fact, modern wall beds are just as comfortable as any other bed you could buy.
Easy to install
Installing a wall bed is easier than ever before. In fact, most homeowners would say it’s a lot easier than moving a sofa bed into a room in their home.
Some homeowners are able to install a murphy bed by themselves. If you’re less inclined to break out your toolkit, let the trusted professionals at Coastal Closets and Showers take care of all of this for you. We’ll look after the design and installation. That way, all that’s left to do is enjoy your new wall bed.
Convenient
If you’ve ever tried folding up a sofa bed when you’re done with it, you’ll know why they aren’t regarded for their convenience. A wall bed, however, is much easier to fold up and stow away when you’re done with it.
Imagine all of the extra room you would have in any bedroom in your home if the beds magically disappeared. And while wall beds aren’t exactly magic, they are as close as it can get. They can be folded up into the upright position so conveniently and quickly, it’s almost like you snapped your fingers to make it happen.
Customizable
You only have so many options to choose from when it comes to buying a sofa bed. With a wall bed, on the other hand, your customization options are virtually limitless.
That way, your comfortable murphy bed can be designed to fit seamlessly into your home. No matter the space limitations you’re working with, your unique taste, or any other considerations, your wall bed can be designed to fit perfectly.
Trendy
As of 2021-2022, a wall bed is also a very trendy addition to your home. Now, as more people are opting to live in smaller quarters and tiny homes, more are realizing the benefits of a comfortable murphy bed than ever before. As such, they’ve become incredibly trendy and sought-after!
A sofa bed, on the other hand? Not so much. Most sofa beds are outdated, uncomfortable, and not suitable for long-term use.
What is the history of the murphy bed?
We’re glad you asked. This is a topic we cover in this post: Top 6 Reasons For Installing A Murphy Bed in Your Home
It includes this history of the murphy bed:
“The bed got its name from William Lawrence Murphy, an American man who applied for the patents for this product around 1900. In the past, other fold up beds had been made and sold, but Murphy applied for specific patents for pivots and a counterbalanced design that stood out from the rest. In 1912, he received a patent for a “Disappearing Bed,” and in 1916, he received one for a “Design for a Bed,” among others.
Murphy beds became increasingly popular in small homes or apartments where space was a concern. Murphy bed designs have ranged from the simplest style to options with built-in lighting and other features.
Later in the 1900s, Murphy beds weren’t seen as often in new homes, but all of that changed around 2010. A weak economy meant more adult children moving back in with their parents (or just not leaving) and plenty of people were downsizing. As a result, saving space was on the forefront of a lot of minds and it remains this way today.”
Can you leave bedding on a murphy bed?
Great question. And the answer is yes. Most bedding can be left on your wall bed when you fold it up into the wall. This includes sheets and linens, as well as some comforters! Some homeowners prefer to remove the comforter before folding the bed, but depending on whether it can be tucked and held securely by the mattress, you might be able to leave it on.
Can any mattress be used with a murphy bed?
Virtually any mattress is appropriate for using with a wall bed. This is just another thing that makes a murphy bed more comfortable with a sofa bed. You’re stuck with the mattress a sofa bed comes with. But with a murphy bed? You can choose a mattress you love to ensure your bed is as comfortable as possible.
Memory foam and latex mattresses are popular choices for wall beds. Since they don’t have springs, you don’t need to worry about them slumping or swaying to one side when the mattress is tucked into the wall.
Before you buy a new mattress for your wall bed, just be sure to look at the mattress weight and thickness to ensure it’s a good fit for your unique wall bed.
If you work with Coastal Closets and Showers for your custom wall bed, we’ll be sure to discuss all of these considerations with you. That way, you can be sure you’re choosing a mattress for your wall bed that you’ll love for years to come.
What is the weight limit on a murphy bed?
Murphy beds, like most conventional beds, can hold up to 2500 pounds.
The weight limit on a sofa bed is significantly less:
“The sleeping weight limit on a sleeper depends on the size and manufacturer. However, the following is a good rule of thumb: a twin sleeper holds one person who weighs up to 250 pounds. Full size sleepers hold twice that, supporting two people up to 250 pounds each. Queen sleepers support up to 600 pounds, and King sleepers up to 650 lbs.” (Source: Sleeper in Seattle)
Does my wall bed need a box spring?
Wall beds don’t need or use box springs. Instead, a retention system (straps, in most cases) holds the mattress in place to the bed frame.
This is where another advantage of wall beds comes in: they’re quieter than sofa beds or other beds. Without box springs, you won’t have to worry about your guests keeping you up as they toss and turn on a squeaky bed.
Coastal Closets and Showers Can Make Your Comfortable Murphy Bed Dreams Come True!
Do you need a home office and a place for your guests to stay? As we’ve shown, a comfortable murphy bed is the perfect solution for any room in your home needing more space. They help to maximize and utilize your spaces, while also adding additional storage and organization.
In a matter of minutes, offices and dens can be quickly converted to guest bedrooms with a real bed! With many styles, design options and finishes, your new wall bed will be a complimentary piece of furniture with dual functionality. During the design process, many clients decide to add a desk unit, utilizing every inch of space.
Wall beds can let you reclaim a room. Think of all the space you could take back from a room if you had a bed that could fold up into the nearest room. Changing up something so simple can have a big impact. The new space can be repurposed to suit your needs and demands. Let us help you reclaim that space—call us today and we’ll get started.
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